St. Joseph County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wenzel was appointed this week to serve as the administrator of soil-erosion permits. The move taken by St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners Tuesday means the permits will no longer be the responsibility of the county’s conservation district. In addition, commissioners accepted Wenzel’s recommended revised fee for soil-erosion permits. The conservation district in November …

The filing deadline for county offices was Tuesday, and voters in St. Joseph County in August will have choices to make in at least three contests. Five candidates are vying for the post of probate judge, a position currently held by the retiring Tom Shumaker. The contestants are John Barnes, Tom Robertson, David Tomlinson, Christine Yancey and Robert Dutka. Three …

Two people were arrested by Sturgis Police Saturday after the vehicle in which they were stopped yielded a trio of one-pot meth labs. Police said the inactive labs were found in the trunk of the car, which was pulled over around 2 a.m. at an unidentified location for a moving violation. While the matter was being investigated by police, a …

Shannon Lynne Carter, age 62, a life-long resident of Sturgis, passed away after a short illness on May 13, 2012, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born Jan. 8, 1950, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Raymond and Carol (Hansen) Strang. Shannon retired from Sturgis Hospital in April 2011 after 27 years as a dietary aide. She …

Thomas E. (Tommy) Pettit, age 37, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Monday, May 14, 2012, at the Sturgis Hospital emergency room. Tommy was born Jan. 9, 1975, in Marshall, a son of Jerry and Joan (Little) Pettit. Tommy had lived in Marshall, Colon, Vicksburg and in Sturgis for the past 20 years. He graduated from Sturgis High School with the class …

John F. Loftus, formerly of Dover, Mass., died peacefully May 11, 2012, in Three Rivers. Beloved son of Frances A. (Guastello) and the late Kevin T. Loftus; devoted father of Lincoln P. Loftus of Three Rivers; brother of Brian J. of Wellesley, Christopher P. of Boston and Elizabeth A. Loftus-Rafalin Maplewood, N.J.; also survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces and …

Geraldine L. Halsey, age 92, of Centreville, passed away Sunday morning, May 13, 2012, at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Centreville. She was born Dec. 30, 1919, in Battle Creek, a daughter of the late Ernest and Josephine (Fullrider) Miller. Mrs. Halsey resided in Centreville since 2005. Prior to moving to Centreville, she lived in Sturgis since 1994, coming from …

Urged by a capacity crowd, St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners Tuesday agreed to place a millage renewal request before voters regarding the county’s Commission on Aging. Fifteen people addressed commissioners, asking that they consider placing a six-year renewal of three-quarters of a mill before voters in the Aug. 7 primary election. Commissioners had previously debated whether to ask for …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a request for out-of-state travel for a team of four members from the county sheriff’s department. In a memo from Captain Tim Schuler, it was explained that training provided through the National Sheriff’s Association will take place June 18-20 in Nashville, Tenn. Schuler said seminars will focus on matters including …

A Sturgis City Commission member and candidate for county treasurer has withdrawn from the race. Rob Sisson, who was expected to challenge current treasurer Judie Ratering for the four-year term in November, notified Clerk Pattie Bender of his decision earlier this week. Sisson’s move means Ratering, who was appointed earlier this year to fill the unexpired term of Phyllis Bainbridge, …